Disabled students protested over the inadequate level of wheelchair-accessible public transport in Dublin yesterday, claiming the poor state of facilities had forced many to abandon college.
More than 150 wheelchair-bound students and supporters staged rallies outside Iarnr≤d ╔ireann and Bus ╔ireann offices and at a city centre taxi rank.
They warned that a severe shortage of wheelchair-accessible buses and trains prevented some disabled people from attending third level.
"We know of several cases where students with disabilities have given up their dream of going to college because of the appalling lack of accessible transport," said Ms Joan Cullen, disability officer with the Union of Students in Ireland, which organised yesterday's march.
Demonstrators later handed in letters of protest at the Department of Transport, Enterprise and Employment and at the Dβil.
Despite a promise to make Dublin Bus fully wheelchair accessible by 2008, the company continued to turn a blind eye to the needs of disabled customers, according to Ms Cullen. Iarnr≤d ╔ireann was equally remiss.
A Dublin Bus spokesman said all the 300 buses commissioned over the past three years were wheelchair accessible and a special disability co-ordinator had been appointed to train staff.
An Iarnr≤d ╔ireann spokesman said special provision was made for wheelchair users who notified the company in advance.